Shrub and patch size of moss crusts regulate soil multifunctionality in a temperate desert of Central Asia

Abstract

The shrub and patch size of moss crusts can significantly affect plant and soil nutrients. The effects and relationships of shrubs and moss crusts on soil multifunctionality are unclear. This study aimed to understand the spatial heterogeneity of soil multifunctionality in moss crust patches and shrubs. Soil organic carbon, nutrient, and enzyme activities under moss crust patches were measured. Interestingly, the soil polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities, carbon-related soil multifunctionality index (C-SMF), nitrogen-related soil multifunctionality index (N-SMF), phosphorus-related soil multifunctionality index (P-SMF), and soil multifunctionality index (SMF) increased with increasing patch size in moss crusts. The patch size of moss crusts had no significant effect on the C-SMF, N-SMF, P-SMF, and SMF under the shrub. The soil C-SMF, N-SMF, P-SMF, and SMF under shrubs were significantly higher than that in exposed areas (EAs). The soil PPO, POD, N-SMF, P-SMF, and SMF under dead shrubs were significantly higher than those under living shrubs and in EAs. Evaluation and composition analysis of C-SMF, N-SMF, and P-SMF indicated that moss crust promotes the increase of P-SMF, and that shrub promotes the increase of C-SMF and N-SMF. Moss crust patches mainly affected phosphorus functionality, increasing phosphorus cycling. Shrub promotes soil carbon and nitrogen functionality. This study elucidates the effect of moss crust patch size on soil multifunctionality influenced by shrub growth in desert ecosystems and provides further new insights into the soil processes and functions. Results are beneficial for the comprehensive utilization of fertile islands and its enhancement of beneficial ecological functions, such as maintaining soil nutrition, quality, health, and vegetation restoration, and lay a foundation for future research on nutrient absorption and utilization between mosses and shrubs.